'Residents' Mind Care — Mind ON Service' targeting children, adolescents and youth recognized in the medical and health category
Program offers free psychological counseling and links to mental health welfare services to help residents recover emotional stability
Jungnang-gu's "Residents' Mind Care — Mind ON Service" has been selected as an outstanding case in the medical and health category at the 2026 Seoul Metropolitan Government Vulnerable Residents Accompaniment Performance Evaluation.
The evaluation was conducted to identify and share exemplary policies that have contributed to improving residents' quality of life and advancing the values of the city's vulnerable-residents accompaniment initiative. A total of 22 outstanding cases were selected.
The recognized program is a specialized service for children, adolescents and youth operated by the Jungnang-gu Todaktodak Mental Health Counseling Center. It works in coordination with Wee Class counseling units at middle and high schools in the district and holds regular operational meetings to provide tailored psychological support that reflects the specific needs of young residents.
Through this and related initiatives, the district has continued to offer customized mental health support to help residents experiencing psychological difficulties regain emotional stability and return to daily life. The Todaktodak Mental Health Counseling Center has provided free psychological counseling to Jungnang-gu residents of middle-school age and older since 2018, with each person eligible for up to eight sessions with a professional counselor. A satisfaction survey of counseling users recorded a 95 percent approval rating, while post-counseling assessments showed an average 33.2 percent reduction in negative emotions and a 41.3 percent drop in depressive symptoms, demonstrating tangible results.
The center offers one-on-one counseling with Level 1 certified psychological counselors, screening and referral for high-risk mental health cases, and stress management and emotional support programs. When needed, it also provides ongoing case management by connecting residents with mental health welfare centers, medical institutions and psychological counseling voucher programs.
The Todaktodak Mental Health Counseling Center currently operates two locations — Sinnae and Mangwu — making it the largest district-level mental health counseling operation in Seoul. Residents wishing to use the service can make advance reservations through the Jungnang-gu Public Health Center website, the KakaoTalk channel "Jungnang-gu Mental Health Counseling Center," or by phone.
Jungnang-gu District Mayor Ryu Gyeong-gi said the recognition reflects the results of policies the district has consistently pursued to help residents recover their mental health. "We will continue to build a comprehensive support system so that anyone can comfortably access mental health services," he said.
seouldream01@heraldcorp.com
